Watch: Justice secretary gives statement as Wandsworth prison escapee hunt continues

Watch as Alex Chalk, the justice secretary, delivers a statement to the House of Commons as a major manhunt for a suspected terrorist who has escaped from Wandsworth prison continues.

Police are continuing to hunt on Thursday 7 September for a former soldier accused of terrorism, as a senior government minister admitted there were questions to answer about the prison escape.

Daniel Abed Khalife, 21, went missing in his cook’s uniform from HMP Wandsworth on Wednesday, prompting extra security checks at major transport hubs.

Kent Police confirmed junctions eight and nine of the M20 were temporarily shut on Thursday due to the enhanced security checks – and to allow freight heading for mainland Europe to queue on the empty section of the motorway.

There are fears the fugitive – who has been missing since 8am on Wednesday – might try to flee the country.

It has been reported that he escaped from a prison kitchen by clinging to a delivery van.